The number of children desired by Chinese couples continues to fall

The number of children desired by Chinese couples fell from 1.76 in 2017 to 1.64 in 2021, being even lower among those born after 1990, according to a recent study cited by Chinese state media.

Couples formed by those born after 1990 expect to give birth to 1.54 children, while those who were born in the 21st century want to have 1.48 offspring, the state channel CCTV reported in recent hours, citing a study in which The Chinese Family Planning Association and the Chinese Population Research Center participated.

The study reflects a “double transition” toward “smaller families” already one “low fertility rate” in Chinese society.

The average age of first marriage for Chinese women increased from 22 in 1980 to 26.3 in 2020, the research indicates.

Likewise, the age at which women give birth to their first child in the Asian country is 27.2 years.

The study notes that around 70% of women under 35 think that a woman’s life is only “complete” if she has children.

Executive Vice President of the Chinese Family Planning Association, Wang Peian, stated during an event that it is necessary “flexible working hours” and encourage couples to “share responsibilities in raising children”.

After decades imposing the one-child policy and later extending it to two, China will allow its citizens to have a third child from 2021, although the decision has not been welcomed with great enthusiasm by the population, both due to the economic burden it entails upbringing as well as the priority given to a career.

China registered a decrease of 850,000 inhabitants in 2022 in its population, which closed 2022 with 1,411.75 million inhabitants, in contrast to the 1,412.6 million registered by the country at the end of 2021.

International experts have predicted that neighboring India, with a population of about 1.38 billion today, will overtake China in the near future to become the most populous country on Earth.

(With information from EFE)